Tonsillitis with pus - VnExpress Health

Prolonged tonsillitis forms white, lumpy, foul-smelling pus masses, called purulent tonsillitis.

This article was professionally consulted by Master, Doctor, Specialist II Tran Thi Thuy Hang, Head of the ENT Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City.

Tonsils are two pink masses located between the respiratory tract and the digestive tract. They play a role in preventing the invasion of bacteria and viruses and producing immunity for the body.

Tonsils are the first layer of defense, so this part is often exposed to bacteria, viruses... When continuously attacked by harmful agents, tonsils are weakened, swollen, leading to tonsillitis. This condition, if prolonged, can cause purulent tonsillitis.

Reason

Bacteria and viruses are the leading causes of tonsil abscesses.

Polluted living environment, unhealthy lifestyle such as smoking, unscientific diet, drinking alcohol, and poor oral hygiene also increase the risk of disease.

Symptom

- Sore throat.

- Dry cough or cough with phlegm.

- Red and swollen tonsils.

- White discharge around the tonsils.

- Bad breath.

- Tired.

- High fever.

- Difficulty eating and communicating.

Complications

Tonsillitis with pus if not treated properly and promptly can cause a number of dangerous complications.

Patients may experience local complications. The infection spreads after 5-7 days, causing pus pockets that make the patient tired, sore throat, high fever, cough, and difficulty swallowing.

Complications in surrounding areas occur when tonsillitis spreads to nearby organs such as the ears, nose, and throat, causing respiratory diseases such as sinusitis, pharyngitis, otitis media, and laryngotracheitis; spreads down the throat into the lungs, causing bronchitis and pneumonia.

Severe purulent tonsillitis leads to a number of systemic complications such as edema of the limbs, glomerulonephritis, sepsis, arthritis, heart failure, respiratory compression, pressure on the lungs, making it difficult for the patient to breathe. The enlarged tonsils gradually turn into hypertrophic tonsillitis, which can cause sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea affects quality of life and reduces work efficiency. It is also a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, metabolic diseases such as diabetes, and neurological diseases such as depression.

Doctors at the ENT Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, remove tonsils for a patient. Photo: Provided by the hospital.

Treatment

Patients should gargle with salt water every day and avoid contact with people with respiratory diseases... to reduce inflammation in the tonsil area.

Use certain medications as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use other people's medications or prescriptions without your permission.

If the above methods are not effective, the doctor may prescribe a tonsillectomy. This method is also indicated in cases of tonsil complications causing peritonsillar abscess, otitis media, sinusitis, arthritis, glomerulonephritis, pulmonary congestion, and frequent recurrent infections.

Prevent

To prevent tonsillitis, people should clean their teeth every day, rinse their mouths with salt water, and wear masks to avoid dust from the surrounding environment. Eat scientifically, limit alcohol, and treat promptly and properly if there are signs of illness.

Uyen Trinh

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